Hi...I wanna completely format my h 1

[Mike23]

Hi...I wanna completely format my hardrive c:.....and reinstall windows XP. ...I've been told that I can do it just by the bootable XP cd....So I'm restarting my pc with the bootable cd & I'm getting the menu....I guess the first is ....(install)...So where in the menu should I go to format(completely delete) my old OS (XP).....
And which system is better......FAT 32 or NTFS....what's the difference ....??
I'll appreciate any response...Thx..

 

[STEWARTH]

Go through the install until you get to a menu asking where on the hard drive you want to install XP. There is an option to delete partitions here. Delete all partitions on the drive.

NTFS is the better file system as it is faster and has increased security.

 

[Mike23]

Hey...STEWARTH....Thx alot...I've did it...though I didn't use the NTFS format.....cos some people here....said that u might get problems...from the NTFS format...but I'll try it next time...

 

[BernardStewart]

NTFS is much faster and more stable as far as I know. See the xp help info below:-

Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32You can choose between three file systems for disk partitions on a computer running Windows XP: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32. Use the information below to compare the file systems.

NTFS is the recommended file system for the following reasons:

NTFS is more powerful than FAT or FAT32, and includes features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features. You can use features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system.
It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a partition). If you do not need to keep your files intact and you have a FAT or FAT32 partition, it is recommended that you format the partition with NTFS rather than convert from FAT or FAT32. Formatting a partition erases all data on the partition and allows you to start with a clean drive.
Whether a partition is formatted with NTFS or converted using the convert command, NTFS is the better choice of file system. For more information about Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER.

In order to maintain access control on files and folders and support limited accounts, you must use NTFS. If you use FAT32, all users will have access to all files on your hard drive, regardless of their account type (administrator, limited, or standard.)
NTFS is the file system that works best with large disks. (The next best file system for large disks is FAT32.)
There is one situation in which you might want to choose FAT or FAT32 as your file system. If it is necessary to have a computer that will sometimes run an earlier version of Windows and other times run Windows XP, you will need to have a FAT or FAT32 partition as the primary (or startup) partition on the hard disk. Most earlier versions of Windows cannot access a partition if it uses the latest version of NTFS. The two exceptions are Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later. Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with some limitations: It cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS features that did not exist when Windows NT 4.0 was released.

For anything other than a situation with multiple operating systems, however, the recommended file system is NTFS.

 

[deebaglee]

once you have xp running you can actually change to the NTFS file system by using the covert.exe command
further reading

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/managing/convertfat.asp

 

[deebaglee]

sorry spelling error!! it should be
convert.exe

 

[rcobb5]

Hi Mike23: The NTFS is the system for XP. Are you using home os or pro? Xp will give options when you get to the setup drive menu. This is where you can setup each hard drive you might have installed. After you have created partitions on each drive, then XP will format C drive to install the OS. After installation you can go to Control Panal>Administrative Tools>Computer Management and there you can further manage your drives. Click on Disk Management, there you can delete extended partitions and create primary drives,format and name your drives. There are a number of things you can do that will help customize your machine. If you want to contact me, here is my e-mail rcobb5@cfl.rr.com Peace!